REBUILDING AFTER THE STORM

On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat . . . there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion . . . “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”   Mark 4:35-41

The disciples have recently been witnessing the powerful miracles of Jesus. Yet, in the face of a storm, anxiety grips them, betraying their trust in Jesus. They question whether He even cares about them. We then see a magnificent display of Jesus’ command over nature itself as He speaks ‘peace’ to the storm and calm is restored. Jesus is not fazed by the storm. We can relate to another storm—the devastation that hurricane Katrina left will not be easily forgotten. The world watched in horror as waters rose to unprecedented levels, destroying lives and all the material possessions of many. While our hearts ache over this event, I believe the compassion that wells up in us is also because it resonates with the pain in our lives and is symbolic of the storms we have faced.

How about your life—are you in a fierce personal storm as you read this? Are you asking ‘how long’, ‘how can I survive this’ or ‘how much more can I bear?’ Others of you may find yourselves in the aftermath of a storm, asking: ‘where do I go from here’? Storms come through life, effecting marriages, finances, relationships, livelihoods, health and everything valuable. God wants you to know: there is life after your storm. He still speaks ‘Peace’ to your storms today. He is in control of your storm. Hallelujah!

What characterizes a storm? I define a storm as any unexpected disaster, tragedy, or disappointment that has caused major damage to your confidence, character, course or connection. By definition, a real storm leaves real damage, and nothing in life is as it used to be. In comparison a drizzle or a shower are not the same. Drizzles easily get moved into the category of hurricanes! I urge you to not mistake a drizzle in your life for a storm—take stock of your life, quit complaining, gain perspective, seize opportunities for growth and maturity, and help those crying for survival in a storm.

If you will remember Christ lives in you and will see you through, you will open your mind to the benefits of your storm. God’s reputation is on the line and He says that no weapon formed against you will prosper and that He has a good plan for you. Believe Him. As you do, you will identify benefits your storm has produced. A storm produces a testimony—a testimony of victory through Christ. It produces a first-hand opportunity to know God’s might and His deep love, resulting in increased faith. As many testify, storms produce power and a greater level of anointing. Your storm may have been intense, long and devastating and the enemy tried to throw his knock-out blow at you, but God’s righteous right hand has sustained you. See the benefits and stand up to declare the goodness of God!

How is ‘Rebuilding after the Storm’ possible? How do people survive financial turbulence, divorce, death of a spouse or child, betrayal of family or a friend? You ask, ‘where does one even begin to rebuild?’ You begin, where you see the damage. An inevitable reality of a storm is that your confidence gets damaged. The mighty apostles amazed by Jesus, are now overcome with fear and doubt. Has your storm caused doubts to arise and shake up your trust in God and people? Fear can paralyze, and doubts distort your view of God. Move past them and cry out to God, as the disciples did. The truth is, He was God before and is God after your storm and He is sovereign. There is a purpose for your storm. Storms uncover hidden things that are not pleasing to God. You see, storms expose everything, even the foundation on which your life stands. The only thing that is unshakable is what Christ has established. Do you find your house is built on the Rock and still stands strong? Or have you painstakingly built it on sand and the storm has leveled it? Storms also reveal attitudes and responses that may lie dormant in people. Has your storm revealed angry, judgmental, bitter attitudes? If you are unable to have faith in God during your storm, is it possible this lack of faith characterized your whole life and you believed God for His blessings, without a vital relationship with Him? A storm is not meant to shame and condemn you. God brings His truth because His plans are to prosper you and not to harm you.

In rebuilding, the first step is to put your confidence back in God. Promises of His everlasting love for you and His ever-present help are with you. Ensure that your life is built around Jesus Christ. People, career, health, sports, television, food—may scream for center stage. These are mere accessories. Only with Christ at the center of your life, can you have a solid foundation. People encourage you to have self-confidence based on your credentials, wealth, talents, beauty etc. Put your confidence in God alone. When everything is stripped away, He is all you need. Your confidence will steadily increase as you study His Word and it is in living out the Word of God, that your foundation is established. When God says to honor your parents or forgive your enemies—He means just that. You can choose to justify yourself out of His commands or obey. It is the obedience that strengthens your foundation. Also, remember, God does not owe you an explanation for anything. When Jesus turned water into wine, Mary simply told the servants: “whatever He says to you, do it”. You do not have to understand the why of your situation but just accept. There is greater peace in accepting.

To revitalize a God-type confidence, recapture your intimacy with God. Study and act on His Word. Make the time to be around people who have a high level of God-confidence. However, as you go through a storm, don’t be afraid to borrow somebody else’s faith as you work on your own—someone who sees potential in the broken fragments of your life and God’s loving hand on you even in your storm. God in heaven has a master plan for your life and will help you rebuild your life. If you follow His plan, He will rebuild every broken down area. He is the only One who can do that.